26 Disturbing Universal Studios Horror Stories

Theme parks are supposed to be fun for people of all ages, but as it turns out they can also be a total nightmare if you go on the wrong day. After learning about the horrors that happen all to frequently at Universal Studios theme parks, it’s a wonder that we don’t hear about sexual predators pretending to be park employees or roller coaster fires on a daily basis. On this list of Universal Studios deaths, accidents, and horror stories you’ll find more than a few reasons to steer clear of any and all theme parks for the rest of your life.

Your run of the mill theme park “horror story” involves paying ten dollars for funnel cake or having light heat stroke. Worst case scenario, you might have lost your car in the parking lot and you had to spend the afternoon walking through a maze of family sized SUVs. But the living nightmares and Universal Studios accident stories that we catalogued on this list put any theme park related trauma you’ve been through to shame (unless you’re one of the people on this list and in that case WE’RE SO SORRY)

Universal Employee Accepts Dragon Challenge

In 2009, an employee was walking in a restricted area underneath the Dueling Dragons coaster when he was hit by a train moving at 55 miles per hour during a test run. The victim suffered multiple head injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Woman Has Heart Attack on Incredible Hulk Ride

On September 23, 2003, Leslie Killer, a 34-year-old woman from Jensen Beach, FL suffered a heart attack from a unknown heart condition while riding the Incredible Hulk coaster. Friends said that she was “in good shape.”

On September 22, 2004, a 39-year-old Florida man fell victim to the mummy’s curse and fell approximately four feet off the loading platform as he was attempting to step into the ride vehicle. He suffered injuries to his head and was rushed to the hospital for surgery, however his injuries were too severe and he died following the procedure.

Dragon Challenge Blinds Tourist

On July 31, 2011, a tourist was injured when an unidentified object hit him in the eye while riding Dragon Challenge. Prior to the incident, the guest had only one good eye, therefore the incident resulted in the guest completely losing his sight. Dragon Challenge remained closed for less than 24 hours after the incident with Universal concluding that the ride was safe.

Safety Mode?

It’s Surprising More People Aren’t Tasered on Universal City Walk

In 2011, a 33-year-old Florida man was found unconscious in front of the Universal Cineplex theater after being tasered by an off-duty police officer due to disorderly conduct. The man was taken to a local hospital and later died. An autopsy determined he died as a result of the tasering and rough handling by security.

Dragon Challenge Strikes Again!

In 2011, a rider was struck by an object while riding the Dragon Challenge, injuring his face and leg. As a result of this and a previous incident in which a rider was blinded, Universal officials announced that the two roller coasters would no longer operate simultaneously, pending an investigation into both incidents. In October 2011, officials suspended the dueling aspect of the ride permanently

Woman Breaks Leg at Universal Horror Makeup Show

In August 2002, a woman was pulled from the audience to participate in the show. After being frightened by one of the on-stage monsters, the woman fell off the stage in fear, landing on the steps of the theater, breaking her leg. She was rushed to the hospital and was released shortly afterwards without any further injuries.

Officers Shoot Into a Crowd at Universal CityWalk

Prior to last call in 2014, a man was shot and killed by police officers at Universal CityWalk after they were called in to take care of a fight in a crowded club. They were confronted by the man carrying a gun who they promptly shot and killed.

Universal Studios Backlot Fire

If you get a chance, you should tour the Universal Studios backlot. That is, if it isn’t on fire. The backlot has caught fire a whopping NINE TIMES! So go check out the cool movie sets before they burst into flames.

Woman Says Man Tried to Rape Her at Universal Studios

In 2007 one woman suffered a horrible fate when she asked for directions to the “Revenge of the Mummy” ride and was pulled into a dark alley and brutally molested by an unknown assailant who may have been a park worker.

Boy Hurts Foot on Men in Black Ride

We don’t know if he was trying to do the modified electric slide from the Men in Black music video, but we do know that that in 2004, an 11-year-old boy had his foot wedged between the ride and loading vehicle.

Being Covered in Oil May Actually Be Better Than Watching The Simpsons

On June 13, 2008, an unidentified mechanism failed, resulting in a Simpsons ride vehicle and its occupants being sprayed with vegetable oil. The guests were given a change of clothes and allowed to shower at the property. No injuries were reported and there was no word on why there was so much unused vegetable sitting around.

11 People Get Stuck on Transformers Ride

The Ghost of Frank Stites

On the opening weekend of Universal Studios in 1915, studio chief Carl Laemmle orchestrated a flying spectacle to dazzle the thousands of guests who had traveled across country to see the unveiling of “the greatest motion picture city in the world.” A pilot named Frank Stites was reenacting a mid-air dog fight when he fell from his plane and died on impact. Rumor has it that his ghost haunts the Universal City backlot.

Universal Studios Character Goes Too Far

During the 2014 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, one character got a little too into Stanislavski’s method and called two 13 year old girls “a bunch of whores…” Their mother attempted to gain an apology from the management but never received a response.

Escalator Accident in Universal Studios Injures Eight

In 2008 eight people suffered minor injuries when an escalator at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park suddenly went into reverse, throwing visitors off their feet and down the stairwell. No reports on whether or not this was a test run of the new ride “Hey, Try Taking the Stairs.”

11 Rescued from E.T. Ride in Florida

In 2011, 11 people were stuck on the flying bicycles on the E.T. Ride in Florida and had to be rescued by the local fire crew. At least they were stuck on the most magical part of the ride, and not the portion where you have to hang out in a plastic bubble for an hour.

Gunmen Rob Tourists at Hotel Across from Universal Studios

No, it’s not a new interactive experience, you’re just being robbed. One evening in 2014, a couple was robbed after leaving their hotel to check out some of the Universal City-themed restaurants. Maybe they’ll think twice about going back to Florida.

Mummy Gets Revenge on Mommy

132 People Evacuated After Harry Potter Ride Breaks Down

In 2010, 132 people were stranded on the “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” ride for close to an hour after Voldemort, or someone, apparently cast the Impediment Jinx (“impedimenta, Harry!“) on the roller coaster. There were no injuries reported and the ride reopened the next morning.

Islands of Adventure Catches Fire

In 2011 Universal Studios Florida said a building fire at Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls prompted an evacuation of the Toon Lagoon. Maybe it was all a ruse to bring in some of that sweet Fire Islands cash money, or maybe it was that darn Snidely Whiplash.

Refrigerant Leak at Captain America Diner

He may stand for America’s freedom, but the guy can’t seem to keep his place up to code! In 2012, three workers were taken to the hospital after complaining of nausea at the Captain America Diner. Reports say they got sick from a refrigerant leak in the kitchen area, but Red Skull probably had something to do with this.

Tourists Get Stuck in Gringotts

In late 2014, a marauding group of tourists was caught escaping from Gringott’s bank with an unknown amount of gold. Or, as authorities put it, the ride had a glitch and stopped for an unknown reason. Local firefighters were called to help the tourists out of the ride.

Florida Man Fakes Being a Cop to, Presumably, Get Free Rides

A Florida man was arrested in 2014 at Universal Studios for impersonating a police officer. David J. Littlefield, 34, was arguing with a Universal Studios security supervisor in a parking deck about whether or not he could drink alcohol on the premises when he flashed a fake badge. If Littlefield wanted to get drunk at Universal Studios, he should have brought alcohol soaked gummy bears like the every other decent human being on the planet.